Put a Rossi .357 on layaway

Today I was at my favorite gun shop and saw 2 revolvers that really got my eye. One was a smith & wesson 64 (police trade in that j&g sales right now I think) the other was a Rossi 971 with a 4" barrel. The smith was used (of course) at 300 and the Rossi new at 325.

What is the general consensus to the Rossi? I would like the smith but having the option to shoot .357 made me opt for the Rossi. Anyone with one should post a pic as I will once I get it out of layaway.

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DNS

March 25, 2010, 11:42 PM

Taurusarmed.net has a Rossi hangun forum you might wanna check out since you've just joined the dark side :D

Love my Rossi.

Mike

W.E.G.

March 26, 2010, 12:59 AM

Rossi 971

ccsniper

March 26, 2010, 01:33 AM

so who else has has rossi's?

BCCL

March 26, 2010, 09:10 AM

I've had a 971 in the past, and currently have a 46202, never had a problem with either.

Also have had a .44 Special and a coupe of .22 revolvers from Rossi that were fine.

moxie

March 26, 2010, 12:12 PM

Friend of mine has a .38 spl snubbie, don't know the model, but it's probably 30 years old or so. It was inherited. Looks great, but when we tried it at his range, neither one of us could get any accuracy out of it at all. Lucky to hit the paper at 7 yds. This is just a sample size of one.

Sniper X

March 26, 2010, 12:17 PM

I had one and forget the model since it was like my tenth handgun which was about elevendehundred years ago...anywho, it was a great little wheel gun. Not really little, it was a Buntline .22. SAA.

Ruger Redhawk

March 26, 2010, 05:35 PM

The early Rossi's left allot to be desired. They are now afilliated or owned by Taurus.So I'm sure there has been some improvement for what it is. Taurus runs hot and cold. You can get a good one and next time one that should have never left the factory. I had a bad experience with a Taurus I bought for the wife. It was a brand new Ultra light. It was a snubbie 38 spl +P rated I can't even remember the model number.It wouldn't lock on 3 of the chambers.You could have the hammer back and turn the cylinder.The wife had only put a cylinder or two through it and handed it to me.I could believe I didn't see this when I bought the POS.The following afternoon it was at my dealers, shipped to Taurus. The day I got it back I traded it in on a M-637 Smith.

I would never buy another Taurus.How did it get pass their QC?

I'm not here bashing Taurus or Rossi. I have my opinions of them. Everyone is entitled to them.

ccsniper

March 27, 2010, 02:56 PM

I want the smith too now. Dang it, I new I shouldn't have went there the other day. I walked in thinking "If I go in here, I probably will walk out with a gun" well I didn't walk out with one but I put one on layaway and now am lusting for the other.

shockwave

March 27, 2010, 05:11 PM

the other was a Rossi 971 with a 4" barrel

This is what I use for IPSC events. It's better for competition than the 686+ I use for range practice and HD. The Rossi is virtually identical to the S&W and the quality is outstanding. You made a good choice that will serve you well. I've got thousands of rounds through mine and it still looks and functions like brand new. Accurate, balanced, and is a snap to break down for detailed cleaning.

1 old 0311

March 27, 2010, 06:46 PM

I own, at this time 5, wheel guns, and in the last 40 years probably another 25-30. That said a Rossi is the ONLY wheel gun I have owned that wouldn't fire every round in a cylinder. It usually missed 2-3 regardless of ammo used. NEVER again.

reloadn

March 27, 2010, 06:56 PM

I don't have a Rossi but I do own a Taurus 85ul that shoots just as well as my friends 642. I would say you did well and will probably serve you well and if not trade it for something else. Happy shooting and post some pics when you get it

fireside44

March 27, 2010, 09:59 PM

Interarms Rossi stainless models are as fine of a gun as any comparable Smith. Even better, considering the price point.

MCgunner

March 27, 2010, 11:36 PM

I've owned 7 Rossis over the years, includes a 971. It was a good field carry, lighter than a K frame, heavier than a J frame. Mine was a stainless, unfluted cylinder, full lug barrel. I had an issue with the firing pin breaking, but a good gunsmith fixed it. I sent it to Interarms for warranty service, but it broke on the second round back. :rolleyes: After that smith fixed it, it burned up a few more thousand rounds before I traded it off on a .45 Colt Ruger Blackhawk.

I've hunt on to one very nice old M68 e" I bought for my step-dad in 1981 so I could get my grandpa's M10 Smith back. I inherited the Rossi a few years back. It's a very well finished gun, not all were. Some were graced with lots of tooling marks vintage late 80s, early 90s before Taurus bought 'em out. Their quality has gotten better of late. They still seem to have, after all these years, some issues with the firing pins breaking, though. You'd think they'd solved that, had 20 years to do it. Other than the firing pins, they are as good as anything out there IMHO for a danged good price, well made guns in the Smith and Wesson pattern. Would I rather have a comparable Smith? Of course. But, I'm not sure I'd pay the difference unless you got a good used 686 for the same money or something.

I can tell you this, you passed up on a really fine firearm in the Smith and Wesson M64. It's basically a stainless M10, smooth trigger, and classic feel. But, there's nothing wrong with the 971 as a shooter and it does handle .357s well. I was impressed with mine. Felt recoil was much better on that gun than on my Ruger Security Six which was always kinda rough for some reason with hot loads. My M19 Smith weighed no more, but was MUCH easier on me and the Rossi was 3 or 4 ounces lighter, easier on the belt while hiking, yet as easy to shoot as the Smith. That always impressed me.

If it's on layaway, just buy something else. Taurus is a company that could be good -- it's just not. If you buy one, check out the gun you intend to buy. Make sure it's meticulously in time, that lock-up is tight. Check B/C gap, headspace; drop a JHP bullet into each chamber and make sure at least three stick and don't fall through. If it passes, I'd take a chance on it.

Smith's stainless guns look like they're finished with sandpaper, but the tolerances are pretty good. Rugers are the only gun I buy sight unseen. At the store it's best to treat the gun totally like it's yours -- like it's a gun you just took from the safe. Don't treat it gingerly or hurry because the sales guy is standing there watching you. I bought thee Taurus 66s years ago and none could hit the broad side of a barn. I found that tolerances were bad on all three, but each was gorgeous. Unfortunately, the chambers seemed to lack throats and just be drilled straight through. I ended my brief affair with Taurus then and will never touch one again unless given as a gift.

I have an early Rossi .38 that I'm quite fond of, but a Rossi .22LR that has a B/C gap of .012. It cost me almost nothing, and shoots well, so I don't worry about it.

MCgunner

March 28, 2010, 12:02 AM

And, BTW, I own three fantastic Taurus revolvers, too. The 85UL is as fine a shooter as any J frame and has the best DA of any revolver I've owned out of the box. The two 66s, one older 3" and a newer transfer bar action 4" are more accurate than my Ruger SS or my Smith M19. They're great working guns.

mechanic380

March 28, 2010, 06:04 AM

I bought a Rossi .357 with a 1-1.5" barrel from a pawn shop. The third time I took it to the range the cylinder detent screw worked loose despite having blue locktite on the threads. I believe I noticed it when I flipped the cylinder to reload, and that it would hopefully have stayed aligned. I don't know if this is a common problem or not, but it was definitely very concerning. That being said I think it is a great handgun and I really enjoy shooting it.

ccsniper

April 6, 2010, 02:57 PM

I know that the 971 is a copy of a smith revolver but which one? I think it is the smith 686 but I am not sure. I just want to know what speed loaders I should pick up for it.

dovedescending

April 6, 2010, 03:07 PM

I have a Rossi 972 that has been "bubba'd" to 4". It shoots great, accurately, etc etc.

about 17 years ago, taught my wife to shoot with it. kept it for a year or so and traded it for something that I no longer remember. It looked a bit strange, but it worked great and never stopped. It was solid, good trigger, shot well and cost about $175.
I also had a Rossi lever rifle in .357 magnum that was a great little rifle and I wish I had another one right now.

You will like it a lot.

mark

MCgunner

April 6, 2010, 10:45 PM

I know that the 971 is a copy of a smith revolver but which one? I think it is the smith 686 but I am not sure. I just want to know what speed loaders I should pick up for it.

HKS number 10s that fit the K frame smith and wessons. I already had some for my K frame, worked perfectly in the Rossi and work in my current Taurus 66s. The 686 has a larger diameter cylinder.

weregunner

April 7, 2010, 05:03 AM

Here's a little backup on the 971/972 and from the actual owners.
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=32478.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=10329.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=22079.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=8080.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=7135.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=6754.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=11739.0

There are 5 more pages of links like this on the 971 and 972.

Oh,yes. I do own a Rossi 462 in .357 magnum and 8 Taurus revolvers of which 3 are older 20+years old and still going strong.

I recently bought a Taurus .327 Federal snub revolver.I can if need be go over to The Firing Line gun forum and bring the whole Rossi/Taurus story verbatim here and present it. The links are vast and the data overwhelming for Taurus and Rossi.

Since this is about the Rossi 971,972 family then that's all that matters and nothing else.

If certain respondents had followed this:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=1430
Then they would have been aware of any problem with the alleged Rossi problem.

So there is a precedent for getting a Rossi 972 or a 972. They are fine guns.

Handgunner

April 7, 2010, 06:45 AM

M971 snub here.

I bought it new in '91 and it's still going. :)

snooperman

April 7, 2010, 10:02 AM

The Rossi 351 snubby 38 special and the 971 357 mag that I have are both reliable and I have put several thousand rounds through them with no problems at all. I also have a Taurus stainless model 85 snubby and the model 65 and also no problems with either. The new S&W guns are just too expensive for many shooters and the Rossi and especially the Taurus are an excellent alternative that will serve you well. They have a lifetime warranty too.

OldMac

April 7, 2010, 11:16 PM

I've had a 4" stainless M711 for 20 years now. Shoot it regularly and it is accurate and reliable. My only worry is that parts may be hard to find if anything does go wrong.

huduguru

April 8, 2010, 10:12 AM

About two years ago I bought one of the Rossi 462 .357s from
Academy. It was a great looking gun. I didn't check it good when I
bought it and noticed that it had quite a bit of end play when I got home.
I took it out to shoot and it was puncturing primers(not good for a .357).
Sold it to a guy for a $50 loss because he said he could fix it.

I like the Taurus 605 and 85 but if I buy one(I should just save for a Clinton & Wesson), I'm going to check it out very carefully(as described here) before purchase.

It is a shame that the consumer has to be the last Q.C. check
performed on these guns. :mad:

jkulysses

April 11, 2010, 07:10 AM

I just picked up a new 2" rossi .357 a couple days ago and can't find a single concealed carry holster for this thing. What is the comparable Taurus revolver that is exactly the same as this Rossi revolver because I'm sure it will be easier to find some good holsters if I just search under the Taurus version. Anybody able to help me out or already know of some good concealed carry holsters for the Rossi 46202???

MCgunner

April 11, 2010, 10:29 AM

The 6 shot Rossi 462s should fit any K frame holster. They fit K frame speed loaders and they're quite similar in size and dimension. My 971 was an outdoor carry, carried in UM's generic, but I have a Hume JIT belt slide and it lists for K frames. I carry my 3" Taurus 66 in it. Very comfy holster and conceals well with a short barrel handgun.

I like the Taurus 605 and 85 but if I buy one(I should just save for a Clinton & Wesson), I'm going to check it out very carefully(as described here) before purchase.

It is a shame that the consumer has to be the last Q.C. check
performed on these guns

Well, if you're going to buy a new Smith, pack some money in your briefcase and you'd better check it thoroughly because their reputation ain't that great, either, despite koolaid drinker promotions on all the gun boards. Me, I'd rather get the Taurus. If nothing else, I know the lock won't turn itself on. :rolleyes:

mesinge2

April 11, 2010, 10:33 AM

I have an Interarms Rossi, pre-Taurus:

119405

119406

Great 38 spl, my only complaint is that I can't find wood grips for it.

ccsniper

May 10, 2010, 01:29 AM

just found me a nice holster for this gun. No, I still haven't got it out of layaway but will soon.

I've got an Interarms Rossi 971 that's been a good gun. No complaints.

jbowserk

May 10, 2010, 07:15 PM

I bought an Interarms Rossi 971 with a 21/2" barrel in the 90's. It had a burr under the cylinder release but that was easily fixed with a couple of licks with a file. After that I was very happy with it. I shot it a lot. It was very accurate and reliable. I eventually sold it and my brother owns it as a HD gun. I have a number of 357's so I didn't need it anymore.

thebaldguy

May 10, 2010, 10:11 PM

I have an 20 year old stainless 971 with the unfluted cylinder and full lug barrel with no venting. I think it was around $200 or so when I got it new. I also had the firing pin problem. It took months to get it fixed by Interarms, but I haven't had a problem with it since.

Damon555

May 10, 2010, 10:11 PM

Go with the smith.....then there is no need to even ask if you will be happy with your choice.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/edlafond/Weapons/DSC_2108.jpg

I'm happy as can be with my used 10-5

MCgunner

May 10, 2010, 10:52 PM

I'm happy as can be with my used 10-5

Im proud for ya. My M10 split a forcing cone and I had to rebarrel it on my own expense, no warranty, but I still like it. It's a early 60s manufacture.

If you enjoyed reading about "Put a Rossi .357 on layaway" here in TheHighRoad.org archive, you'll LOVE our community. Come join TheHighRoad.org today for the full version!